Also: Water is wet. Orange juice made from oranges.
Electric automaker Tesla is—once again—under fire over the use of the name “Autopilot” as the name chosen to market its Advanced Driver Assistance System. This time, it’s U.S. Secretary of Transportation, Pete Buttigieg, who is indirectly wagging his finger toward the Texas-based carmaker.
In an interview with The Associated Press, Buttigieg specifically slammed the use of the name “Autopilot” to describe any system that requires a driver actually pay attention to the road. He avoided calling Tesla out by name.
via Getty Images
“I don’t think that something should be called, for example, an Autopilot, when the fine print says you need to have your hands on the wheel and eyes on the road at all times,” said Buttigieg during an interview with AP.
Buttigieg did not comment on any ongoing investigations during the interview, but he did flex the U.S. Department of Transportation’s muscles should the need for enforcement arise.
“We call balls and strikes,” said Buttigieg. “I view it as something where it’s very important to be very objective. But anytime a company does something wrong or a vehicle needs to be recalled or a design isn’t safe, we’re going to be there.”
Whether or not the DOT, DOJ, NHTSA, or any other body will force Tesla’s hand into recalling or rebranding its software is unknown. What is clear is that each agency is keeping a very watchful eye on the space, regardless of the automaker. Tesla’s naming might be in the crosshairs today, but Volvo’s Ride Pilot, Mercedes-Benz’s Drive Pilot, or Nissan’s ProPilot could be the next to be targeted.
Buttigieg issued a strong warning for any automaker who intends to mislead the public with marketing:
“Both outside bodies, states, and other regulatory entities on the marketing side, and us from a vehicle safety perspective, are always paying attention.”
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